About

Donna, who specializes in weight management and
wellness, developed the 12-week program that became the
foundation of the eDiets.com diet. She’s a self-proclaimed
expert in agaves, tequila and other fine spirits.

Cheers To Your Health!

Simple Ways To Get More Active

Do you often feel like you'd rather eat rabbit food for the rest of your life than to be tortured by that activity referred to as exercise?

My advice is to FORGET about exercising and simply first figure out what you enjoy doing.

Some people think that they must purchase expensive workout equipment for your home, which usually turns out to be some elaborate clothes hanger. Others spend hundreds of dollars on memberships to gyms that they haven't set foot in since the day they joined!

Increasing your activity level does not have to be difficult, expensive or grueling if you stick with what you like!

Do you like to walk, dance, skate, run or swim? Make sure you choose activities that you like to do. Do you like to watch TV? Try jumping rope or doing sit-ups during the commercial breaks for two to three of your favorite shows. Do you like listening to CDs or your iPod? Why not dance for a half hour or go for a brisk walk while listening? You can even break up the walks: Go out for a short walk before breakfast, after dinner, or both!

Start with 5-10 minutes and work up to 30 minutes.

When getting in shape, creativity can make the difference between the perception of work or fun. We often get caught up in the idea that exercise is hard and must be grueling. With that in mind who would want to do it? (Unless of course you are a sadist!) Change your perception slightly and decide that you will focus on increasing the activities you like, and watch how easy this becomes.

Want to increase family time while improving your family's health? Plan family outings and vacations that include physical activity (hiking, backpacking, swimming, etc.); go site-seeing in new cities by walking or bicycling. Choose a family member or close friend to do an activity with a few times per week. Rather than sit on the phone and chat, take a brisk walk with that person and chat.

Some tips from the American Heart Association include the following:

At work, walk down the hall to speak with someone rather than using the telephone or intercom.

Walk around your building for a break during the work day or during lunch.

Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Participate in or start a recreation league at your company or create a sports team to raise money for charity events.

When traveling, walk around the airport while waiting for the plane rather than just sitting.

Stay at hotels with fitness centers or swimming pools, and use them!

Pack a jump rope in your suitcase for ease of use right in your hotel room.

Salud!
Donna DeCunzo-Taddeo

Diet.com expert blogger Donna M. DeCunzo-Taddeo is a registered and licensed dietitian who developed the 12-week weight management program that became the foundation of the eDiets.com weight loss program. Together with her husband, writer/director John Taddeo, Donna launched Voodoo Tiki Tequila Corp. Donna has been featured by CNN, NBC, NY Times, Cosmopolitan, Womenâ€™s World and Womenâ€™s Day.